Home ahoho ALEX EALA’S FILIPINO SUPPORT HAS BECOME SO INTENSE THAT EVEN HER OWN COACH ADMITS IT CAN SOMETIMES FEEL “SCARY” — AND ONE OFF-COURT ENCOUNTER SHOWED JUST HOW FAR SOME FANS ARE WILLING TO GO Joan Bosch says the extraordinary backing follows Eala almost everywhere she competes, creating an atmosphere few young players ever experience. But one recent moment away from the court made the scale of that devotion impossible for the team to ignore.

ALEX EALA’S FILIPINO SUPPORT HAS BECOME SO INTENSE THAT EVEN HER OWN COACH ADMITS IT CAN SOMETIMES FEEL “SCARY” — AND ONE OFF-COURT ENCOUNTER SHOWED JUST HOW FAR SOME FANS ARE WILLING TO GO Joan Bosch says the extraordinary backing follows Eala almost everywhere she competes, creating an atmosphere few young players ever experience. But one recent moment away from the court made the scale of that devotion impossible for the team to ignore.

ahoho · 16/09/2026 · comments off
Alexandra Eala is blessed with one of the biggest and most passionate fanbase in tennis.

However, with that comes a rather unique set of pressures, the likes of which very few others on tour have to contend with.

She steps onto every court as the best-supported player, and whilst her fans are not massively expectant, there is surely a silent expectation to perform.

Joan Bosch, her coach, has briefly referenced this whilst speaking to the Diary of a Professional Coach.

He had nothing but positive words for the Filipinos who follow Alexandra Eala to every tournament, but also admitted they do ‘scare’ him and the team a little.

Alex Eala’s coach Joan Bosch praises her incredible Filipino fans

Bosch began by expressing his genuine surprise: “We could never think this would be like this.”

He continued: “We are super happy with the way that the Filipino community and fans are. Everywhere we go, they are there. This morning on the plane, we found a few Filipinos; they went from Washington to see Alex in Toronto again. It’s so nice to see how they really believe in her and how they have this passion on the court when she is playing.

“The court in Toronto was full every day when she was playing. For us, it is even sometimes scary, because it’s tough to always have the best level. This was a tough week for Alex because she won Washington, she played the final on Monday, and we just travelled on Tuesday. It was not easy to handle. I am happy that she could do a good two matches in the first two matches.”

Eala will play mixed doubles with Felix Auger-Aliassime at the US Open in the coming weeks, as part of a continued busy summer schedule for her.

Alex Eala’s sensational 2026 campaign thus far

Whilst 2025 was a fine breakout year for Eala, 2026 has been one where she has truly proven herself a mainstay at the apex of the WTA Tour.

After all, the 21-year-old has not only won her first-ever tour-level title in Washington, but that came after her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon as well.

Rank Player Ranking points
16. Diana Shnaider 2468
17. Sorana Cîrstea 2294
18. Alexandra Eala 2221
19. Ekaterina Alexandrova 2186
20. Jasmine Paolini 2124
Alex Eala’s current live rankings

On the way, Eala has beaten almost all of the sport’s biggest players too, maintaining a 9-5 winning record against top-ten opponents, and deservedly occupying 18th in the WTA live rankings.

Discussing this incredible year and whether they had expected such a rapid rise, Bosch admitted: “We were positive because she had a good pre-season and I was super happy with the way that she played in New Zealand.

“She beat Vekic, Marcinko and Linette and made the semi-finals, with a good level. The way that she played, I was super happy with. And I have to say that I was still watching many things that we could improve. You never know what the limit is that you can achieve, but I thought if we could do the same level as last year, we would be lucky with the weeks, because it is not the same playing well at a small tournament as at a big tournament.

Are Alex Eala’s fans good for tennis or do they need to behave better?

They have received some backlash for their behaviour during some of her recent matches…

(Getty Images)

Most of these Filipino fans are new to this so called tennis etiquette. They will eventually get used to the rules so give them time. They’re just enjoying this newfound enthusiasm for the game because of the hard work that Alex put into it.

It’s not bad behavior if you’re rooting Alex Eala and clap when she scores. However, if the fans of Eala mock her opponent when an error is committed, that’s not acceptable. The fans can clap their hands and wave their flags but howling and screaming is likewise, unacceptable. To Eala’s fans, keep in mind it’s tennis they’re watching not a cockfighting.

I would agree, if it wasn’t for the abhorrent conduct of the USA golf fans during the most recent Ryder Cup. In comparison, the Eala fans were well within the bounds of etiquette. I can’t help but feel that some of the feedback and talking points, are only being made about the Philippines fans, because they are from the Philippines and “new” to tennis.

“So I told the team because I work also with another coach Sandro and a fitness coach in Luke, and in the meetings I always told them that if we do well, in some specific weeks we can have a better run than 50. We were top 50 at that moment and it worked.”

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mai plinh